Dermatotoxicology

- Toxicology of the Skin, Epidermis, Cutaneous Tissue; Dermatoxicology and Dermatoxicity - Dermatological Toxicology and Toxicity

• Alex Apostolou, DVM, PhD   Senior Toxicology / Pharmacology Consultant for the Domestic and Foreign Drug and Chemical Industries and the U.S. Government
   
• David W. Hobson, Ph.D., M.S., DABT Consultant and Principal, H&H Scientific Services, LLP
   
• Howard I. Maibach, M.D. Dept Dermatology, University of California San Francisco

About Dermatotoxicology (Dermatological Toxicology)

Skin is the largest organ of the body, both in weight and surface. It protects the body from Environmental Insults, and maintains Body Homeostasis. However, in doing so, it may sustain damages caused by injurious elements, such as Infections, Dryness, Contact Dermatitis, Allergic Dermatitis, Phototoxicity, Photosensitisation (Photosensitization), Chloracne, Burns, Pigmentary Disturbances, Granulomas, Urticaria (Hives), Necrosis, and Cancer. Under certain conditions, Skin may allow passage of different elements and production of Systemic Effects, Injurious (like neurotoxocity, etc) or Beneficial (through Transdermal Drug Delivery (Patch Drug Delivery), such as of Nicotine Patches, Nitroglycerine Patches, Scopolamine Patches etc.).

Dermatotoxicology is the Medical Science of Skin Toxicology.  A Dermatotoxicologist is a Toxicologist who studies the Dermatological Toxicity and Toxicology.

Experimental Models in Dermatotoxicology:

• Percutaneous Toxic Material Evaluations
• Cutaneous Biomarker Characterization
• Topical Skin Protectant and Decontaminant Assessments
• Statistical and Pharmacokinetic / Toxicokinetic Transdermal Modeling

Definition of Dermatology der ma tol o gy (Medicine, Physiology, Pathology) n. The branch of medicine that is concerned with the Physiology and Pathology of the Skin. Der ma to log i cal (-t-lj'-kl), Der ma to log ic adj. Der ma tol o gist n.

Dermatotoxicological Investigations of Toxicities including Irritation, Skin Corrosion and Allergy necessitate Toxicological Skin Testing prior to Manufacture, Transport, or Marketing of Drugs, Cosmetics, and many other Products. The Draize Test for Cosmetic Products has come under criticism because it uses Animals and is gradually being replaced by In Vitro Skin Biology Models and Clinical Testing.  Dermatotoxicologists or "Skin Scientists" develop other alternative Cutaneous Drug Reaction test methods based either on In Vitro Test Systems (e.g. using Rat, Pig or Human Skin Ex Vivo, or Reconstructed Human Skin Models) or Ethical Clinical approaches (Human Volunteer Studies).

Dermatotoxicologist Dermatotoxicology Dermatoxicity Dermatology Toxicology
Toxicology Consultant Dermatotoxicological Toxicity include Skin Irritation and Allergy Toxicological Skin Testing prior to Manufacture Marketing of Drugs Cosmetics Draize Test Dermatotoxicologists
Dermatotoxicologists Dermatotoxicology Dermatoxicity Dermatology Toxicology Consultant Dermatotoxicological Toxicities Skin Irritation Allergy Toxicological Skin Testing Drugs Cosmetics Draize Test

• Agricultural Chemicals

• Art Materials, Graphics, Illustration

• Biologics / Biotherapeutics / Biotechnology

• Carcinogenicity

• Clinical Pathology

• Consumer Products Toxicology

• Dermatotoxicology

• Dietary Supplements Toxicologists

• Drugs of Abuse

• Environmental Toxicologists

• Food & Food Additives

• Genetic Toxicology

• GLP Auditing (Good Laboratory Practice; Glp)

• Hazard Communication

• Industrial Toxicology

• Inhalation Toxicology

• Litigation Support / Forensic Toxicologists

• Medical Devices Toxicologists

• MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets Toxicology Consultants

• Neurotoxicology / Neurotoxicity / Neurotoxicologists

• Occupational Toxicology (Osha)

• Petroleum Products Toxicologists  

• Pharmaceutical Research & Development (Pharma R&D)

• Pharmaceutical Regulatory Support - FDA Consultants

• Pharmacokinetics / Toxicokinetics

• Product Safety Toxicology

• Reproductive & Developmental Toxicology

• Risk Assessment Toxicology 

• Safety Pharmacology

• Statistics / Data Evaluation

• Superfund Toxicology

• Veterinary Products Toxicology